Fire extinguisher



July 2, 1929. T. H. PARKER FIRE EXTINGUISHER j Filed oct. 8, 1925 2SheetsSheet 1 July 2, 1929- T. H. PARKER 1,719,277

FIRE EXTINGUISHER l Filed oct. e, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 l moms M MAKER.M/12J@ da ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED nsmrss PATENT OFFICE.

FORNIA.

Ammann, Asstcnon mo uunmtwmrnns CALIFORNIA, A .CORPURATION 0F CALI FIREEXTINGUISHER.

Application liled (lctober 8, `i923. ,'Serial No. 667,249.'

This invention relates to a lire extinguisher, and more particularly toa che1nical type .of extinguisher that is light and portable for manualuse.

In the usual type of chemical extinguisher, a liquid of desirableextinguishing properties is contined in a space, and provisions are madefor ejecting this liquid whenever the extinguisher is to be used. Thisliquid may be carbon tetrachloride yor the like. `In one type `.ofextinguisher, gas pressure is provided to perform the function of`ejecting `the liquid in a stream, which is so essential to convey it tothe desired burning locality. It is one of the objects of my inventionto provide such a lire extinguisher in which there is .a certainty Ithatthe gas under pressure (usually compressed air) is prevented fromleaking out of the container while the extinguisher is inactive, andthus `from making it useless when its need arises. This feature is ofvery great importance, because an extinguisher may be kept on hand foran emergency for a considerable period of time-sometimes years-beforethe emergency actually arises. Thus if the gas is permitted to leak out,even at fa very slow rate, theextinguisher becomes entirely valueless.

It is `another `object fof my invention to provide a fire extinguisherof animproved, simple construction, and having `but a few parts, but allof which are capable of remaining in proper operative .condition for along period.

`It is still another object `ot my invention to render it extremelysimple to determine whether the gas pressure is still largeenough tooperate the extinguisher.

Itis still another obj ect .of my invention to provide a ireextinguisher having a c0ntainer that increases ink volume as pressure isapplied in the process of charging.

In many respects, my invention is not limited to fire extinguishers, zasmany features thereof can be used in connection with other articles.

My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which `withthe foregoing,`

will be set forth at length in the following description, where l shalloutline in full that form `of the `invention which I have selected forillustration in the drawings accompany# ing :and forming part of thepresent invention. Although in the `drawings I have shownbut oneembodiment of my invention,

I do not desire to be 'limited thereto, since the invention as expressedin the claims may `'be embodied 1n other forms also.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a cross sectional view of a omplete extinguisher embodyingmy invenion';

llig. 2 is a side elevation of the extinguisher, indicating itsappearance when in properoperative condition; y

Fig. 3 is aside elevation similar to Fig. 2, but 4illustrating .thecontainer when iin an inoperative condition;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle mechanism `of theextinguisher, with some .of the parts separated as before assem! bly,for the purpose of more clearly ind-icating the manner of construction;`and Fig. `5 is a view, partly in section, of a portion oit 'the device,together with apparatus that may be used for charging and sealing it. y

One of the features of my invention resides in the construction of thecontainer 11 in which the chemical 13 is disposed, and which is filledto about .the level 12. Above .this liquidthe gas under pressure islocated, and thus the entire interior of the vessel 11 is subgected to acomparatively large expanding force. The container 11 is made of thinresilient metallic material in the form `of a drum, so .that when thereis suliicient gas pressure, the sides thereof areforced outwardly,1asindicated'in Fig. f2. In .this way fa round appearance is imparted tothe con- `tainer, .and this appearance serves as an indication oftheinternal pressure. The free condition of the container 11 with pressurereleased, is shown in Fig. 3. The' sides `14 form .an exterior concavesurface.

These sides 14:, forming a portion of the .boundary for container 11.thus respond so far .as their physical form is concerned, to pressureconditions within the container. But in .addition to `this function, itis vto be `noted that there is a ,substantial increase in volume whenthe container 11 is operative, so `that :a large fquantit of liquid 13may be accommodated. In e `ect the sides 14 thus form diaphragme.against which the gas pressure may act.

In `order toA permit the escape of the liquid 13, I provide `a swingingpipe or connection 15, the open end of which is shown as `weighted :asat 16, so as to maintain the;

"the'ifoot 21 and thebody'o'f the handle.

Ycoaxial with said latter passageway.

shoulder 32 adapted to be connection 1'5- substantially vertical and itsopen end near to the bottomof lthe container 11. In this way there is anassurance thatssubstantially all of. the `liquid13 may bef used whenktheextinguisher is placed in operation. This connection is shown assupported in a swinging manner with a stationary pipe or conduit 17. Abracket 18 may if desired be provided to brace the conduit 17., Thisbracket is shown as convelnientl'y supported on the boss 19 or ,a handle20,"which boss projects into the container as shown'in Figlfl. Thehandle 2O yis prof vided with the pair of feet 21 and 22 by the aidof'vwhiehvit isspaced from the container ytop, 'and is'supportedthereonin any appropriate manner. Y

i v'The handle 20; also serves' conveniently to conductv the li'quid13out ofthe container 11, and for thisvpurpose it is vprovided withpassageways 23' and 24, respectively through The passageway 23communicates with the conduitI 17, 'while' the passageway 24 extendsfrom said' passageway 23 to a'nozzle'supporting extension 25 that issubstantially Screws or other'plugs 26 and 27 Y are fitted into the endsof the passageways where they are drillechfso v,as'to 'maintain the'entire space air tight. The ends of Vthese screws may in vaddition besealed with solder, such as shown at 28oir example;` this solder sealmay be dropped readily into 'the tapered countersink provided therefor.`

' 'The extension 2 5 has a bore '29,the end ofV which "ishermetically'fsealed by a thin ,disc-like: closure'r30, Theextension 25and its associated parts are most clearly Aillustrated in Fig. 4.y Theclosure 30 may be yfastened in'an airtightm'anner to the end 'ofextension v25,'as by soldering. Furthermore'this closure made of' suchthin sheet *metal that v.under ordinary conditionsv it can Vreadily bevruptured 4by the pressure existing in the container 11. This can'readilybe accomplished by making the closure from some comparatively 'weak andpliable metal Vsuch'as tin or zinc. ,Vnotto permit Ithis rupture to takeplace until 4the extinguisher is to be used. To effect this However, itis essential result, a cap 31 isfprovided, ywhich has a flat v lacedclose up against the closure 30 and t ereby serve to support it againstexpansion or bulging out-I wardly under the influence of the gaspressure `in container'11. This cap 31v is arranged lto bereadily placedover the extenlsion 25 or to bel withdrawn therefrom. For this'purposethe end of extension 2.5 is provided with external threads 33,`whichhow- Y' yever occupy only a portion of the 'complete ycircumference ofextension 25. The remainder ofthe circumference is grooved or rifled.Substantially the same kind of threads 34 is vcumference of the bore 29.

provided `for the interior or cap 31, whereby it is possible to engageor disengage the threads 33 and 34 by turning the cap 31 through acomparatively small angle.

YTherefore to place the cap 31 over the ex- 'the'extinguisher is to beused, the cap 31 `may readily be removed by the reverse process, and thedisc 30 will then be ruptured and'will permit the escape ot' the liquid13. As'the liquid escapes, the walls 14 gradually assume the collapsedposition of Fig. 3; this action Serves to maintain the gas pressure at:

.its proper high value throughout the period ofI discharge.

While oi course as thus .far described, the apparatus is quitepractical, I lind it advantageous to provide a more. conventional Vtypeoi' nozzle l'or the outlet, whereby it is ensured that the liquid 13will issue, from the extension 25 in a continuous and welldeiinedstream. A slidable nozzle 35 is lor this purpose supported within thebore 2.) or extension 25. Then the gas pressurel is free to act, itforces the nozzle 35 axially along the bore 29 and through the closure30. It is stopped from coming entirely out by va ring key 3G placedalong thev inner cir- The liquid 13 will then flow out of the nozzle 35.

Themanner in whiehthe container 11 may be charged with compressed air orother gas under pressure is illustrated in Fig. 5. (7)1 course otherways of' accomplishing the same result may be used, but the scheme shownhas the advantage of comparative simplicity. First the container 11 isilled with the liquid 13, and then it is made airtight except for thethreaded aperture 37 that extends from the passageway 24 in the handle.This airtight condition is secured by properly fastening in the screw27, and by rastening the sealing closure 30 on the end oi' extension 25.The cap 31 is also held on this extension, to prevent: the closure irombeing blown out. A casing 38 is then slipped over the tapered end 39 ofhandle 20, in such a. way that a tight lit is ensured. This casingconnects as by a flexible hose 4() with a source ol' compressed air.There are provisions `l'or screwing in the plug 2G while the air ismaintained under pressure in the casing 3S.

ltlfi lltl cluding the packing 42 and stalling nut 43, whereby thechamber in casing 38 may be maintained airtight. The plug 26 isthreadedly engaged in the end of rod 4l, which after the air pressure isapplied, may be slid toward the aperture 37, the countersink 44 actingas a guide for the plug 26. The rod 4l may now be rotated to fasten thisplug tightly in place, and then it may be freed therefrom by rotating itin the opposite direction. As soon as this is accomplished, the airpressure in casing 38 may be reduced by proper operation of valves, andthis casing may be removed from extension 39. A solder seal may now beplaced in the countersinl: 29, before any material leakage can takeplace. Preferably the plug 26 is made from some composition metal sothat the exposed end may be sealed by simply touching it with asoldering iron.

The extinguisher is now in proper condition :for storage or forimmediate use. Due to the fact that the container ll is hermeticallysealed, there is no danger of its losing' its charge of compressed aireven after a considerable period of time. Furthermore, the seal may bebroken without any waste of time should the emergency arise thatnecessitates the use of the extinguisher.

In the claims, the seal is defined as combined molecularly with thevessel or container. This term is intended to cover suchequivalent formsof union as soldering, brazing or welding.

I claim:

l. A chemical lire extinguisher comprising an airtight metalliccontainer having at least a part of its boundary defined by a wall theform of which is dependent upon the conditions of pressure within thecontainer, and a fluid under pressure in the container.

2. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising an airtight metalliccontainer having a. wall in the form of a thin diaphragm that isexpanded in response to pressure conditions in the container, saiddiaphragm being concave under atmospheric pressure and convex under the`operating pressure of the extinguisher, and a fluid under pressure inthe container.

3. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, aclosure for said container, said closure being of such a nature that thepressure in the container is sufficient to destroy its sealing property,Iiieans for preventing the pressure from producing this effect, and anozzle member adapted to he moved by the pressure in the container so asto direct the stream after the closure is permitted to be destroyed.

4. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, a fluidunder pressure in said container, a closure for said container, saidclosure being formed'of a wall of material incapable by itself ofwithstanding the pressure in the container, means for supporting thewall against rupture, and a nozzle member adapted to be moved by thepressure in the container so as to direct the stream after the wall ispermitted to be' ruptured.

5. In combination, a container, a fluid substance under pressure in saidcontainer, an extension on said container having an aperture incommunication with the interior of said container, a closure for saidaperture, said closure being formed of a material incapable byitself ofwithstanding said pressure, and a manually removable cap on saidextension directly reenforcing said closure.

6. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, a liuidunder pressure in said container, said container having an extension, aclosure for said extension, formed of a wall of material incapable byitself of withstanding the pressure in the container, a cap fitting overthe extension and readily detachable therefrom, for supporting the wallagainst rupture, and a noz- '/.le member slidable in said extension andadapted to be moved by the pressure in the container so as to direct thestream after the wall is ruptured.

7. In a chemical fire extinguisher, a metallic container having asidewall formed of a thin resilient member providing a resilientdiaphragm that is permitted to collapse only when there is nosubstantial pressure in the container, a chemical liquid under pressurein said container, a member formingan extension for conducting theliquid out of the container, a wall hermetieally closing the extensionbut incapable by itself of withstanding the pressure within thecontainer, and a cap fitting over the extension and supporting the wallagainst rupture.

8. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container havingcollapsible walls, liquid in the container, a gas under pressure in thecontainer serving to dilate the walls thereof and thereb to increase thevolume of the container and means for discharging said liquid.

9. In combination, a container, a fluid substance under pressure in saidcontainer, an extension on said container having an aperture incommunication with the interior of said container, a closure mounted atthe extremity of said extension for sealing said aperture, said closurebeing formed of a material incapable by itself of withstanding saidpressure, and a manually removable cap secured to the extremity of saidextension and reenforcing said closure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS H. PARKER.

